Hon’ble Chair and Vice Chair of RC76; Chair of the session, Dr Pemba Wangchuk; Excellencies, distinguished delegates, esteemed partners, WHO colleagues from across the Organization,
We come to the close of yet another successful Regional Committee. My sincere gratitude to distinguished delegates for your keen participation, deep insights and collaborative action across all Agenda items. Together, you have pushed our mission forward.
On Monday, in my Inaugural Address, and in my Introduction to the Annual Report, it was a pleasure to walk you through some of the progress that together we have made, not only over the past year, but the past decade.
Today, let us add this Seventy-sixth Session of the Regional Committee to the list, recognizing its importance to the Region’s onward trajectory at this moment not just of transition but opportunity.
Together, you adopted six resolutions and three decisions, each pertaining to critical aspects of the Regional and global health agenda.
Yesterday, you nominated a new Regional Director, Ms Saima Wazed, to whom I extend my congratulations and support.
Over the past three and a half days, this Regional Committee – the Region’s highest Governing Body – has deliberated on a range of issues critical to the health and well-being not just of the Region’s 2.1 billion people but to that of our Organization – key among them Programme Budget 2024–2025, the draft 14th General Programme of Work and sustainable financing.
Together, we have considered how best to prevent and control cardiovascular diseases in the Region, with the endorsement of the Dhaka Call to Action and our new SEA-HEARTS initiative.
We have assessed the Region’s overall progress towards universal health coverage, which as you agree, requires accelerated action, but which has nevertheless outpaced any other region.
Together, you have endorsed a new Regional Strategic Framework to end neglected tropical diseases in the Region, and also assessed implementation of our Regional Strategic Roadmap for health security and health system resilience, which has begun with zeal.
We have also surveyed seven progress reports on selected Regional Committee resolutions, including on COVID-19 and measures to build back better essential health services; implementation of the Global Strategy to reduce harmful use of alcohol; Regional commitment on TB; promoting physical activity; and revitalizing the school health programme and health-promoting schools, among others.
Let us agree: The Ministerial Roundtable was a great success. The Delhi Declaration for strengthening primary health care will – I am sure – accelerate evidence-based action and investments to further our primary health care agenda.
My sincere gratitude to India, and to Your Excellency Dr Mandaviya, for selecting this focus and for your leadership in this area, and also to Dr Pallitha Abeykoon, for graciously moderating the Roundtable.
My gratitude to the Chair and Vice Chair, Your Excellency Dr Mandaviya and Your Excellency Dr dos Reis Amaral, respectively, for discharging your duties, shepherding us to this conclusion.
And my heartfelt thanks to this Regional Committee, and to the many which came before it, at the close of this, my tenth and final Committee as Regional Director.
On that note, I take this opportunity to acknowledge the tremendous support and dedication that I have witnessed throughout my tenure.
First, I extend my deepest gratitude to all Member States for their unwavering support at every step of our journey and in the face of an array of challenges.
My thanks also to the HQ team, whose continued support I have greatly appreciated.
In particular, I extend my utmost gratitude and congratulations to the Director General, Dr Tedros, for his steadfast support of our Region, and for the courage, wisdom and integrity he has shown in leading WHO, not only in responding to the deadliest, most disruptive health crisis in more than a century, but in fundamentally transforming our Organization, ensuring that together we can meet the challenges not just of today but tomorrow.
And I also express my sincere and abiding gratitude to my Regional Office and Country Office staff, from WRs, Directors, Coordinators and Regional Advisors, to all other technical staff and general service staff, including NPOs, administrative associates and assistants, and also to the drivers, CHS and security staff.
All of you have contributed in your own way. Your hard work, commitment and determination have been the driving force behind our collective success. The professionalism and expertise you bring to the table are truly commendable and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside such a dedicated team.
Finally, my thanks also to the many non-governmental and inter-governmental organizations, partners and friends who continue to join with us to achieve our vision, based on Member State priorities and needs.
Together, we have achieved so much.
As I stated earlier this week, a chapter ends but the book remains. The story is yours to write.
I thank you.